PCN 2008: Awaken Movement

long story short = thumbs up.

as a member of the secret, shadowy cabal that was known as the PCN Skit Selection Committee, i was able to see very early versions of the scripts, so i came to the show already having certain ideas in mind. actually, let's do this bullet-point style. i won't cover EVERYTHING, just some highlights.

-i'll come right out and say i had doubts about Lost Voices when i read the early draft. not everyone enjoys horror. it had the potential to be the feel-bad hit of the summer. BUT, i have to say, that was absolutely NOT the case. i was definitely impressed. the challenge was a balancing act, and they balanced it well. i am oficially a fan of Ian, that guy is a hand grenade of charm. his comedy (and Gina's too), plus the integration of modern (which is PCN for "hip-hop") dance really balanced out the mood for me. and the protagonist being able to redeem herself was a nice touch, not to mention absolutely pivotal.

-i know that it was a goal to "intertwine" and link up all the skits and dances into one large story arc. this was talked about last year for Anatomy, but was pretty much abandoned somewhere along the way. Awaken Movement pulled it off beautifully. there were some moments, like when lost voices protagonist turns out to be the ate of Jean from the musical, where i just had to go "nice." and again, tying modern in was brilliant.

-SPOKEN WORD. DOPE.

-Ghosts in the aisles. i was wary of this idea early on. it didn't end up happening. in fact, it ended up being a joke in the musical. maybe it's for the best.

-for a while, the Liberty skit was meant to be shortened, but it seemed like a full skit. i say it worked out. plus, it adds to the neat "quadrality" of the show. 4 skits, 4 themes, 4 spoken word performers...

-the Musical was CRUCIAL. props to Jeffrey for being brave enough to push it forward, and to everyone involved with the music and choreo for this. i'm so glad it was in the show, because right from the start it is unabashedly, unapologetically FUN. it's like the show telling you "it's okay, you can breathe now. we'll put the righteous social unrest on the shelf for a second, just sit back and enjoy." the cast of this skit was amazingly talented. personality out the wazoo.

-speaking of music, Lenny, Lou, and Rodney are PROS.

i think what i admire about Awaken Movement is
1) it's intertwiny-ness. tying all the elements together, often in pleasantly surprising ways.
2) it's brevity. this was a tight, compact, travel-sized show! what was it, like 3 hours?? VERY impressive. this has gotta be some kinda record.
3) it's power. it really culminated with the spoken word finale, but everything prior builds up to it brilliantly. activism always runs the risk of being preachy, or condescening, or bludgeoning apathetics in the face with a sledgehammer of guilt and disgust. but during that finale it was more empowering, where you admire those speaking out and want to join them, rather than feel shamed for not doing enough.

anyway, congratulations to the producers, heads, and cast. thanks for making a great show. =)